Welcome to Transformative Healing Dolls BLOG

​This is a month of new beginnings and for Transformative Healing Dolls that means two big new projects.The first is the Flip Doll project that I am doing at N. Street Village-bringing flip (or topsy turvy dolls) to the homeless. The second is a solo show, entitled Upside Down and Inside Out, the Fanciful in Daily Life at the Torpedo Factory TAG gallery-also on the theme of upside down and inside out.

Here is the scoop (at least what I know so far):

​Bringing flip dolls to N. Street Village

Above is an image of works in progress. On the left is a doll I'm calling "Gloriana/Madame Estes, what we want and who we love." In the middle is an example from the 1940s of a typical flip doll as they first appeared. And on the right is my version of a black/white flip doll in progress...

This weekend I am going to speak to the Potomac Fiber Arts Association (source of the Conant grant that made this project possible) to solicit materials donations and invite participation in the project. Then next week I speak to the N. Street Villagers about the proejct and then if all goes well, we'll start with the first session at N. Street.

Upside Down at the Torpedo Factory

Today I finally came up with a title for my solo show at the TAG gallery at the Torpedo Factory which I shared with you above. I'm going to show my own flip dolls, my felted panels and an assortment of dolls made over the past couple years. What I saw as a theme in my work is the idea of inside out upside down.

Here is what I came up with so far to describe the show: The exhibit asks “what if?” questions such as: “What if the flip of a swing could reveal the opposite side of your personality?” The show explores the fanciful in daily life with needle-felted dolls, from life-sized to small, flying from a trapeze to hanging from a vine.

Oh and one more thing...Materialized Magic habitats have all found a home!!!

​The Materialized Magic: Mythical Creatures in a Yarn Artistry Habitat show had a short run for the month of August at the New Project Space at the Torpedo Factory, Studio 8. But now, according to our original plan, the various habitats from the show, i.e. the waterfall, cave and desert, woodland and pond habitats have all found homes! We are so excited. The tree went to UpCycle in Alexandria and will be in their new creativity space. The pond and cave went to two Reggio Emilio pre-schools in the area. And the waterfall went to the Jefferson Senior Living Center. We hope to go visit these sites at some point and see what they are doing with the habitats. But soon they will send us some photos...

Erika

I've been making dolls for about five years now. I believe that dolls serve as representations and reminders of the best part of ourselves. I am exited to share with you here my learnings about new methods and techniques for doll making and healing. So glad you are here!